Reagan and I spent the majority of the weekend, starting Friday, in Eastern Long Island. The occasion was for our close friend Sarah’s wedding. The wedding was amazing. It was a lot of work for Reagan, since she was actually in the wedding. The bride and all of the maids looked flawless (Reagan published a few photos more wedding photos on Hairdresser on fire).  Reagan was no exception. I sneaked my camera along in a tote. I didn’t want to be that guy waving around a big camera, as if the people who were being paid mad cash to shoot the thing weren’t doing a sufficient job. One of the favs that I snapped was the image above.

Saturday evening, we were chilling in the hotel room, and the light was just blasting in from the window, right before the sun set. Reagan was sitting on the bed eating some swedish fish, when I snapped this one. This ended up being one of my favorite shots from the weekend.

We had a great weekend, with all sorts of patriotic activities. Sunday night, Reagan threw a bachelorette party for her friend who is getting married next weekend. I took the opportunity, while she was out, to build and install her new desk in the former guest bedroom.

She didn’t waste any time putting it to use.

Monday, we barbequed on the roof with our friends Joe, Jen and Frank (plus Nikki the dog) and lit sparklers. The sunset was basically the most amazing thing ever. Here are a few images from the festivities.

The shot below was some team work. Reag wrote “Happy,” Jen wrote “Fourth.”

The next photo was all my idea (haha). Frank shot it for us.

You will probably recognize my hand style on this one.

After our flying session, Cuomo and I packed up and headed into the desert to ride some quads and do some camping. I didn’t really end up shooting much while we were out there. I think that a lot of it probably had to do with the fact that I was wearing gloves and goggles for so much of the time.  I know that M. got some good shots, so maybe I’ll post those later. What I did manage to capture was the following morning’s sunrise (above).

[Updated: Cuomo sent me over these shots he got of me riding]

After riding the quads around a bit more that morning, we headed back to my parents’ place and exchanged the quads for the fishing boat. My dad also offered to come along and be our guide. We were glad to have his company. Cuomo caught the first fish.

I eventually caught some trout, also. But only after reeling in this crayfish. (photo below by: Cuomo)

On the way home from fishing, we stopped and shot just about every gun in my dad’s arsenal (which is kind of a lot). I was partially deaf in my right ear for the rest of the day.

I’ll try to do this chronologically. Our trip got off to a rough start when thunderstorms delayed our flight to SLC by about 8 hours. So, we finally left NYC around 2 AM Eastern and landed in SLC around 4:30 Mountain. Luckily my younger brother had no problem staying up all night and picking us up. We figured that even though we hadn’t had much sleep, we would just stay awake and fire off a power nap later, if needed.

After having a super early breakfast with some of the fam, we went flying in my dad’s plane (the shot above is my dad taking care of some pre-flight stuff). Here is Wally below, wearing the game face.

Northern Wasatch range, and the Great Salt Lake:

Cache Valley:

The Spiral Jetty, at the Great Salt Lake:

Mount Timpanogos:

Three happy aviators:

Yesterday morning bright and early I was at the Standard Hotel shooting the arrival of a traveling piece by KAWS. It is actually one of the same pieces that was at the Aldrich, last year.

Above: still sitting on the flatbed before assembly.  Check out the whole set over here.

Onto equally exciting news– I leave tonight for Salt Lake City with my good friend M. Cuomo. We are headed out for a “man” weekend in the wild west. Cuomo is moving to Italy next month and as a sendoff we felt like some male bonding would be appropriate. The planned activities include:

1. Camping
2. Fishing
3. Hiking
4. Shooting guns
5. Flying
6. Riding quads
7. Breaking stuff

I still have to pack, but I have a feeling it will be pretty easy. The only downside to all of this, is that I started coming down with a nasty head cold yesterday. At first I just thought it was my incessant allergies. When I woke up this morning, I knew differently. Nothing like flying while congested. Dayquil, don’t fail me now.

This morning we went to Girona to visit our friend Stefanie. We were going to rent a car and drive the coast, but opted to just take the rail, since we would have had to turn in the car the same day (we fly out super early in the morning). It is a pretty awesome little town. There is stuff over there that isn’t much younger than the bible.

We had an awesome time and we are super stoked to do it again. We are equally as stoked to get home and hang out with the Pipster.

Today we hit one of Gaudi’s more well known structures. The place was mind blowing. Unfortunately the outside of it was covered partially in scaffolding (which it apparently always is). But the inside was crazy. I could not even wrap my head around how much attention to detail went into designing every square foot of that place. The shot above is of one of the cathedral’s side doors. Below is a detail of the same door.

All of this came after a fun filled night of hanging out with friends. One of Reagan’s good friends is from Spain. She happens to be in town visiting. She came to Barcelona and stayed with us last night. We met up with some of her friends and went to a party, then dancing. It was a really good time. We met some really cool people and had a great sample of the nightlife.

Above, Reagan and friends at dinner. Below, clubbing

Tomorrow we drive up the coast to check out some castles and stuff.

Where to start? We had a fun albeit brief visit from Reagan’s friend Stefanie on Friday. She flew in Thursday evening, and out again Saturday morning. Friday night we did the Korea town Karaoke thing and got back out our pad on Saturday morning, just in time for her to shower eat a snack (below) and for me (while Reagan slept) drive her to the airport. I’m not going to fault Reagan for not coming on a ride to airport, though. She was laid up all day Saturday with a head cold. Luckily she was feeling much better today. We had a great visit with Piper. It was raining pretty much all day, so we just kicked it inside and watched some movies/let her climb all over us. It was a pretty uneventful visit, and I didn’t even snap one photo. But, if you want to see some super cute shots of Piper playing outside on the playground on Friday morning, check Reagan’s page.

In other news, we have a banger of a week ahead of us. We are still trying to get ready for our little trip across the pond. We have really not done a great job of prioritizing our preparations. Reagan has been taking inventory on her collection of sunnies (top photo). I have been talking a lot about thinking about packing, etc.. It is going to be interesting to see how things play out.

Even though I insinuated that Mondays are sinister in title of this post, it is probably going to be the easiest day for me this week. I’ll probably be spending my free time on Monday trying to queue up some blog material to post while I’m off the grid in the coming weeks. I’m shooting two things Tuesday. Wednesday, I’m shooting some product early, then I’m going to try to juggle the Hugo Boss party at the Guggenheim, with an extra super dope and kinda secret event involving Pharrell taking place on the LES. Thursday night there is a gallery opening, and Reagan’s family arrives. Ok, now that I’m listing things out, Friday should be relatively mellow too. I always enjoy hanging out with Reagan’s fam. Saturday is Piper’s Birthday. Since I’m on a roll… Sunday: visit PJ/Hangout with Reagan’s fam. Monday– a sendoff for Reagan’s fam/plan a trip to Europe. Tues-visit to the dentist/pack. Wed- vacation.

So, yeah.

Up for grabs this round, is a pair of Skullcandy “Smokin’ Buds.” Although I think the name of this model is a bit kitschy, I think that Skullcandy makes some quality products. Whether audiophile or not, I feel like everyone can appreciate a quality sounding headphone. Although, I could be wrong.

Speaking of audiophiles– This giveaway just happens to coincide with the nascent beginnings of a new project that I’m pretty excited about (I can imagine Reagan groaning as she reads this). For those who might have had the occasion to read my little weekly LMC feature, it is no surprise that I’m pretty keen on music. I have a few friends who share this passion with me. One of them just happens to be Mr. Joe Varca. As it turns out, Wednesday night Joe and I were not only admiring the view of the City, we were also hatching a plan to take over the world via (yet another) music blog.  “What is this blog you speak of?”, inquiring minds probably won’t ask. I just registered the domain yesterday. It is called “Ear full of gold.” There is yet much to do before any content will appear on the site. But, get amped. Joe’s brain is like IMDB and ASCAP all rolled into one.

Back to the buds: If you want ‘em, write a comment about some music that you like. It doesn’t have to be your favorite. Heaven knows I have a hard time drilling down a favorite anything. So, maybe it is just something that you have been digging on lately. There aren’t really rules. I will try to choose a winner on Monday or Tuesday of next week. Bueno suerte.

We got Friday night started by taking Sam out for some Italian food before waltzing down to Korea town and firing up some Karaoke. We first went to a place on 32nd, until they kicked us out. Then we went to a place on 35th. At the second place we stayed until 4:30. Yeah, 4:30 AM. That is after last call at the bars. Apparently the place is open until 6 AM. Amazing. Above: Amanda and Reagan rocking out. Below: Sam enjoying his b-day celebration.

Before we left the house, Reagan decided that she was going to whip up a batch of her own custom girl scout style Samoas. Here she is working away in the kitchen. The cookies came out impressively well.

Saturday morning we woke up and had brunch before heading up to kick it with Piper. She was kind of grouchy when she first woke up from her nap. But, we had a very long and pleasant visit, and were able to get some smiles out of her before giving her a bath and getting her all dressed up in her PJs.

Here is a shot of Sam and myself trying to look like the Black Keys.

Then this

and this happened.

I did eventually shave of the rest of my handlebar stache. Sam looks sharp with his new haircut.

Tomorrow morning: First running club race of the season. I am in no way ready. Thank goodness that it is just a 5k.